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I review the Godox MF-12 dual flash system

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A complete review of the new GODOX MF-12 dual flash system. I detail the components of the package and take the flash for a spin in the forest, where I photograph scorpions, and talk about setup, diffusion and battery life
The flash is offered as a combo with the ‪@Irixlens‬ 150mm macro lens, and was kindly loaned to me by IRIX for this review
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Опубликовано:

5 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 54

@NiSE_Rafter Месяц назад

Thanks for a fantastic review with plenty of good insight

@rivieramacro5240 Месяц назад

@@NiSE_Rafter this for the kind words, they make the effort worthwhile

@user-rt5dl3tb1y 6 месяцев назад

Great review. Comprehensive, clear and very informative!

@rivieramacro5240 6 месяцев назад

thank you !

@moshesalama Год назад

Best field hands-on review of this macro flash system! Just ordered one and will try it soon!

@rivieramacro5240 Год назад

Hi Moshe, kind of you to say so. I am sure you'll enjoy this flash system. Good hunting !

@andrewmurdock 2 года назад

thanks for the extensive explanation, with this I have more insurance than accessories to take into account when taking photos that I did not take into account

@GainesvilleKen 5 месяцев назад

Great review. I don't think I'd be happy with a battery that can't be swapped out. Love my AD200's and AD400's; the spares for them are pricey, but having at least one in my bag is reassuring. Really wonderful review, the first of yours I've watched. Thank you!

@rivieramacro5240 5 месяцев назад

Thanks a lot for the kind comments. Yes I agree, being a fan of full-night rainforest macro outings, flashes operating on AA batteries (or swappable Li-IONs) are better suited to long shoots but recycling time is slower generally with AAs. Could not really test that situation since I had to return the unit. More reviews are coming (slowly) !

@Vicvines Год назад

I already bought these and I took notes from your review because I wanted to see someone else use them so I know how to use them. Thanks for the review!

@rivieramacro5240 Год назад

Most welcome this is why I do these videos, glad it was helpful. Don't have the unit anymore so unfortunately cannot continue exploring the potential of those flashes

@Webpromotions 2 года назад

Great way to set-up the flashes. I too was struggling with the specular highlights and I also have all the bits lying around to make your flash holder. Looks like I have another project for the weekend

@rivieramacro5240 2 года назад

Great ! The setup I show can still be improved for sure, either the bracket or the diffuser but it works. See Nicky Bay's web site and publications, he is using a similar design (and he's the true Master)

@Webpromotions 2 года назад

Many thanks

@dontgetmadgetwise4271 Год назад

Very informative and offering fresh insights on this system. Thank you

@rivieramacro5240 Год назад

glad you liked it !

@andreak4280 10 месяцев назад

fantastic informative vid, thanks so much!!

@bjnslc Год назад

Excellent, you covered the questions I had and will save me the cost of the full two flash kit. I'll get the flashes without the rings and filter gels. The fast recycle time for handheld stacking is great. I doubt the LED will be much help when dimmed through my diffuser, but perhaps in very low light.

@rivieramacro5240 Год назад

Great ! Yes the built-in LED lights are too weak for focusing through a diffuser. Better use a bike light / tactical light or something similar. I myself use a cheap Amazon bike light, that works well even at night (see my diffuser in Borneo video)

@bjnslc Год назад

@@rivieramacro5240 I'm not able to get Nikon (Z6) FPS high speed sync to work with the MF-12. If the flash triggers in that mode, it's not syncing or illuminating any of the scene. It works fine at 1/200 S and slower. It does work with my Lumix G9 in high speed sync operation.

@rivieramacro5240 Год назад

@@bjnslc I can't answer that one since I had to return the MF-12. Can't experiment. In general in other Godox flashes, there is an HSS sync to be activated on the flash. Best to look it up in the manual of the MF-12 to see if that setting is available Try also with the Godox trigger ?, it might be that it also has to be in HSS mode ?

@Namaste.. 2 года назад

Very through review. One thing to check on Godox controllers is the distance setting (MENU, page 3/4, DIST). For on-board flashes, DIST should be set to 0-30 m not 1-100 m (which I think might be the default setting). The 1-100 m setting can result in misfiring of onboard flashes. Always enjoy your videos- keep ‘em coming!

@rivieramacro5240 2 года назад

Great tip thank you. I did not have enough time to explore the most intricate settings of the system. Actually the Nikon R1C1 also had that feature, with a somewhat "hidden" switch in the SU-800 controller Glad you enjoyed the video. Would have loved to use the sytem in more situations, but winter was not favorable. Off to filming the next one in the US !

@amb8405 Год назад

This guy rules

@josephwisniewski3673 Год назад

Two minor quibbles. First, if you consider the MF-12 K2 to be a "knock off" of the Nikon R1C1, then you have to consider the R1C1 to be a "knock off" of the Canon MT-24EX. Personally, I consider them all to be evolution of the same theme. * The Canon can only use two heads, which are direct connected to the power/control unit, and your power control is limited to a ratio is limited to +/- 3 stops of each other. * The Nikon has independent flashes in up to three groups with optical triggering and it's Nikon only, with only one modifier. It's also dog slow: 6 seconds to recycle from a full power flash. * The Godox has independent flashes in up to five groups, although when used with Nikon cameras only the first three groups can operate in TTL. It can TTL with the right controller with Nikon, Canon, Sony, Oly/Panasonic, Fuji, and Pentax. It recycles in 1.7sec. With the Godox MF-CB adapter, it can use all the V1 accessories: dome, round diffuser, "pope hat" reflector, round filters, snoot, barn doors, and all the third party accessories for the V1. Second, the R1C1 is much more powerful than the Godox. GN 10m/33' vs. 4.9m/16'

@rivieramacro5240 Год назад

Thanks for the detailed comments ! I concur mostly except for the Canon flash: the dangling cords are IMO a major drawback when out in te field and I think it is notoriously prone to failure (seen quite a few reports). The Nikon R1C1 kit was great, I have used mine extensively the only drawback was the CR123 batteries: expensive and needed to be recycled. I finally found recyclable ones on Amazon but quality was somewhat uneven. But of course was limited to Nikon users. Also radio-triggered flashes are more reliable than IR especially when setting up field studios in full daylight. I wish I could have had more time to push the Godox system to its limits but had to return it after the review. I still think that being able to control various flashes including cobras with one controller makes the Godox system very versatile

@ryevick 5 месяцев назад

Excellent video! Thank you 📷 🙂

@unclebuck5957 Год назад

I use this flash I never have a problem with the lens getting too close . canon f2.8 100 macro I use 3 flashes 1/2 power

@impastorscott 2 года назад

Good job - great video. However, I think you may have gotten a faulty/loose ring setup. I have been using variations with multiple flashes for over a year now and have never had the ring rotate under use like you demonstrated. It is a very snug fit on my copy.

@rivieramacro5240 2 года назад

Thank you. Good for you. But definitely loose ring on mine. And this has also been pointed out by Steward Wood in his review. This is an issue with plastic holders in genera, they may not age too well or may break. Looseness is easily fixed with tape anyway. Of course as with many Chinese-made products lower price comes at a cost. Nevertheless I liked the system, has great potential fro multiple lighting situations and I was sorry I had to return it before the macro seasosn started in full here

@masculine1967 Год назад

love godox…

@snoogly 2 года назад

Thank you for this. I plan to build a similar set-up using two Joby accessory bendy arms, and a smallrig cage on my Nikon Z7. If I am lucky the Joby arms will just attach to the cage, in the right positions - but I think I will need to get creative :-) Sorry if you already described in other videos, but what it is your go-to material for making cone diffusers? Oh, when you turn the flash units on, trying pressing the flash trigger button at the same time - I think this forces a close-distance connection, which might cure that non-firing issue.

@rivieramacro5240 2 года назад

Missed your comment and was away on expedition, sorry. I have used various plastics. Dog veterinary colar is a good one. Office folders/binders wuill work too. Recently I have purchased thin Polypropylene sheets from a local Arts&Crafts store, and I generally glue layers of thin packing foam. Thks for the tip but had to return the unit ! Good tip though.

@dans2491 Год назад

Good review. The only downside for me is non-replaceable batteries like you mentioned. The website says they charge at 5v 2A. Is that enough power to use the flashes WHILE charging?

@rivieramacro5240 Год назад

Thank you. I agree, especially if you do very intesive macro sesions. Can't answer the question though, as they did not let me keep the units. Those are things I was not able to test in the limited time I had the flashes. Don't know if the flashes can operate while plugged into a powerbank. And charging at 5V/2A would take a while anyway, not practical in the field

@ARami81 Год назад

Great video, thank you. Can the GODOX be triggered by the onboard flash like the Nikon ones?

@rivieramacro5240 Год назад

Thank you Ali. No the Godox system is based on radio transmission, you need a Godox X1T trigger or equivalent. Probably can use a Godox flash as Master too, if it is radio-enabled. The Nikon CLS system is IR-based, so it's an optical signal not radio

@ARami81 Год назад

Thank you for the explanation

@williamgollatz1911 25 дней назад

Well, can the lights be put into different groups with the controller?

@rivieramacro5240 23 дня назад

@williamgollatz1911 yes, as with every controller a number of flash units can be assigned to any of the groups. So you could have 6 or 8 flashes and control them in different groups (can't remember how many groups the Godox XT1 can handle. 3 or 4 ?)

@yxx_chris_xxy 11 месяцев назад

21:16 It's good for non-Chinese subjects...

@1973Antoniob 2 года назад

Hello. Thanks for the review I’ve read a book of a famous photographer, it say that is best tu use one flash and not two on macro. What is your opinion? Thank you

@rivieramacro5240 2 года назад

Hi Antonio. I believe there is no "best" setup. But two flashes will undoubtedly give a much better light spread, a more enveloping light and therefore a better image. The single flash option if well diffused with a concave diffuser will also give good light and it is cheaper and lighter. I myself favour the single flash setup in the field because I find it less cumbersome especially in the rainforest. But in the studio for example I would always use at least two flashes. So there is no abolute "best". But good diffusion is key to good macro images !

@1973Antoniob 2 года назад

@@rivieramacro5240 Thank you for the reply.

@user-vk5pu6cc1w 2 года назад

What is the name of the arm with the flash module? In the case of the setting, I don't think the one on the hot shoe is the basic synchronizer of the solitary flash, so what product is it? Also, what is the name of the softbox diffuser used and where can I buy it?

@rivieramacro5240 2 года назад

Hi ! The bracket is home made, the litlle arms come from a JOBY stand. Yes the trigger on top of camera is the Godox X1 which has to be bought separately from the MF-12 sytem and can control any GODOX radio-enabled flash The little softboxes are some cheap Chinese brand (PIXCO I believe). Just search Amazon for flash diffusers, you will find many

@morano123100 2 года назад

I am using godox Xpro transmitter with 2 mf12 flash. How to enable preflash? I change the setting to TTL, but still cant preflash.

@rivieramacro5240 2 года назад

Hi ! I am afraid I cannot investigate the matter, since I had to give the MF-12 system back. You may have to look at the manual in detail or enquire on forums

@zweiche Год назад

any luck finding it ? i was considering buying this but not sure

@ericsondmd Год назад

What trigger did you use?

@rivieramacro5240 Год назад

The Godox X1T. The flash system works with any of the Godox radio triggers

@billrhea 2 года назад

You guys the only way to make soft light is making it big.

@bjnslc Год назад

You make it big by setting the flash back from the large diffuser surface. His DIY diffuser is plenty big for insect macros. And he was diffusing twice in stages.